Drug lord El Chapo Guzman says New York jail conditions “too strict”

Mexican drug lord Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman is escorted by army soldiers to a waiting helicopter

According to El Chapo’s lawyer, the drug lord is being locked for up to 23 hours, he cannot be visited by his wife while the only person he is allowed to call is his lawyer. The lawyer further alleges that he has been denied water, reports CBS News.

The strict jail terms imposed on Mexico’s notorious drug baron were outlined by defense attorneys on Friday who asked the judge to loosen them.

Guzman is being held in a maximum security prison in New York after he was extradited last month.

The drug kingpin is known for having escaped from Mexican prison not once but twice. During the first escapee, he got his way out jail in a laundry basket and then later on via a tunnel in his cell.

The allegations that he is being treated harshly were raised by his lawyers at a federal court in Brooklyn. Guzman accused of having commanded the largest drug-trafficking organization, allegations that he has pleaded not guilty.

If he is convicted, he will likely face a life imprisonment.

His hearing was attended by his 27-year-old wife Emma Coronel, a beauty queen and mother of two twins.

El Chapo Guzman’s Wife

According to the lawyers, this is the first time that Ms Coronel has seen her husband ever since his extradition two weeks ago.

The lawyers said that they respect that security is a necessity but the measures taken against their client “have gone above and beyond.”

District Judge Brian Cogan highlighted that the defendant’s history is quite unusual – referring to his past successful escapes. Thus, the Federal Bureau of Prisons has the right to regulate whoever sees Guzman and the conditions under which he should live.

El Chapo Guzman Allegations

Mr Guzman is accused of having smuggled into the US hundreds of tones of heroin, cocaine, methamphetamines and marijuana as his conflicts with other gangs escalated.

The cartel is further accused of having been responsible for thousands of kidnappings and killings, apart from bribery claims.

Through this trade, Guzman is believed to have amassed billions of dollars.

Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto had earlier on refused to have him extradited to the US saying that he should be judged home. But upon his recapture in 2016, Pena Nieto changed his position, calling upon the officials to hasten the extradition process.

The judge has maintained that the imposed strict measures are relevant, based on what he knows.

The capture of most-wanted drug lord Guzman was the result of a months-long criminal and intelligence investigation, Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto said.